Intrusive
or co-operative? A cross-cultural study of interruption

Kumiko Murata

Abstract

This paper highlights how interruptions
are used within the system of turn-taking, referring to the rules of turn-taking set out
by Sacks et al. (1974), and classifying the kinds of interruption used by conversational
participants. I classify interruption into two main types: co-operative and
intrusive. Intrusive interruption is further divided into three types:
topic-changing, floor-taking, and disagreement interruptions. The occurrence of
these different types of interruption is examined in the data from three different
interactions; NSE-NSE (Native Speakers of English), NSJ-NSJ (Native Speakers of Japanese),
and NSE-JSE (Japanese Speakers of English) interactions. It is noted that the
frequency of the use of the different types of interruption varies across cultures.
Furthermore, this paper discusses interruption from the perspective of the
sociocultural values attached to its use.